2013/2014
KAN-IMM_IM47 Foundations of Strategy
| English Title |
| Foundations of
Strategy |
|
|
| Language |
English |
| Exam ECTS |
7.5 ECTS |
| Type |
Mandatory |
| Level |
Full Degree Master |
| Duration |
One Semester |
| Course period |
Autumn |
| Time Table |
Please see course schedule at e-Campus |
| Study board |
Study Board for MSc in Economics and Business
Administration
|
| Course
coordinator |
- Ulf Andersson - Department of Strategic Management and
Globalization (SMG)
|
| Main academic
disciplines |
- Economics, macro economics and managerial
economics
|
|
Last updated on
02-07-2013
|
| Learning objectives |
- To conduct independent analyses of complex strategic
settings
- To know the key elements and analytical tools of the major
strategic perspectives
- To be able to combine the perspectives and to apply them to
concrete cases
|
| Examination |
|
Foundations of
Strategy:
|
| Examination form |
Home assignment - written product |
| Individual or group exam |
Group exam, max. 2 students in the
group |
|
In the scientific paper the student must
demonstrate his/her ability through a combination of theory,
methods, and empirical material to provide an in-depth study of a
problem of scientific relevance with the required literature of the
two courses. The evaluation criteria are based on contribution,
structural consistency and logical flow, clarity of argumentation
with justification for use of analytical approaches, and thoughtful
discussions that show a deep understanding of the strategic issue.
A high performing scientific paper should fulfil all of these
requirements. More specifically, the exam requirements for the
combined exam in Foundations of Strategy the student must
demonstrate:
• A thorough understanding of the required literature,
• Ability to limit the scientific paper to a particular level of
analysis and/or theoretical problem,
• Apply relevant theories within the focus of the scientific paper,
• Produce a solid analysis within the theoretical framework, and
• Demonstrate abilities in analysing - and reflecting on – an
academic subject.
• In the subject-related article (scientific paper) the student
must demonstrate his/her ability through a combination of theory,
methods, and empirical material to provide an in-depth study of a
problem of scientific relevance within the required literature of
the two courses. |
| Size of written product |
Max. 10 pages |
|
Please use the formal requirements for academic
papers, which can be found on e-campus |
| Assignment type |
Written assignment |
| Duration |
Written product to be submitted on specified date
and time. |
| Grading scale |
7-step scale |
| Examiner(s) |
One internal examiner |
| Exam period |
Winter Term |
| Make-up exam/re-exam |
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
|
Description of the exam
procedure
The exam is an internal exam and
consists in writing a scientific paper. The article can be made
individually or by 2 students together. As each student receives an
individual grade, each group member must clearly identify the exam
sections he/she has authored.
For the article, the following provisions apply: Notice of
participation individually or in groups of 2 students must be made
according to the date specified among important deadlines. The
students will be informed of the subject of the article
subsequently (by lot). In form and content, the article must
correspond to the requirements of scientific periodicals like e.g.
"Strategic Management Journal" or "Scandinavian
Journal of Management". (Max. 10 pages). Each student/group
will have an assigned advisor. The regular exam will be held in
December. The final due date for the submission of the article
(in 2 copies) will be announced by the IMM secretariat The
make-up/re-exam takes place in February. The make-up/re-exam
scientific paper can be written individually or in groups (provided
that other students are taking the
make-up/re-exam)
|
|
| Course content and
structure |
|
In this module, different perspectives on business strategy are
addressed and explored. The different perspectives are accentuated
with the use of cases on strategic management in an international
context. A deeper understanding of strategy – not as mechanical
application of management tools, but as different and often
paradoxical perceptions - is provided during the course.
This is the first of two mandatory courses in strategic management
at the IMM Programme. The course will give the students a better
understanding of the broad strategy field. The theoretical insights
developed in this course constitute the analytical context for
dealing with strategic issues discussed over the duration of the
semester. By the end of the term, the students are expected to be
able to conduct independent analyses of complex strategic issues
based on theories, models, and analytical frameworks included in
the assigned course readings. The strategic analyses can
incorporate material from other classes that complement this
course, by creating further insights and thereby enhancing the
analytical rigor. The students are not required to memorize
readings but should be able to apply the material in cohesive
analyses of complex strategic issues. The students will be asked to
demonstrate this ability by completing an in-depth study of a given
strategic issue using relevant material from the course readings
that may incorporate material from other courses and wider
literature searches. The insights developed in the class provide a
useful background for the international strategy course and the
group project during the second semester. The in-depth study will
take the form of a ‘scientific paper’ that will be evaluated in
conformity with the requirements for analytical
capabilities.
|
| Teaching methods |
| The teaching mainly takes place in
large classes and consists of a mixture of dialog-based lectures,
presentations, discussions, and assignments/cases. |
| Expected literature |
|
Indicative literature.
The course is based on the following textbook:
Grant, Robert M. (2010). Contemporary Strategy Analysis, 8th
Edition, (Text and Cases Edition), John Wiley and Sons, UK. The
book will be available in the bookshop SL books.
All additional readings can be accessed via the CBS library
homepage (Links are available on LEARN).
Please note that there might be slight changes in the final
readings before the respective class
sessions.
|
Last updated on
02-07-2013
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